farminghttp://hppr.org
enTechnology, infrastructure cut down on food waste on the farmhttp://hppr.org/post/technology-infrastructure-cut-down-food-waste-farm
<p></p><p></p><p>On a wet, grey day in Grinnell, Iowa, the rain beats a rhythm on the metal roof of a packing shed at <a href="http://www.grinnellheritagefarm.com/">Grinnell Heritage Farm</a>. Crew member Whitney Brewer picks big bunches of kale out of a washing tank, lets them drip on a drying table and then packs them into cardboard boxes.Thu, 25 Sep 2014 05:01:29 +0000Amy Mayer37499 at http://hppr.orgTechnology, infrastructure cut down on food waste on the farmWhat goes into the price of your tomatohttp://hppr.org/post/what-goes-price-your-tomato
<p>Late summer in the Midwest is tomato season. For tomato growers around that country, it’s time to pick their bounty and calculate their earnings.</p><p>While sun and rain might be free, tomato farmers have to carefully weigh everything else they put in to growing their crop. Research and the development of new tools – from novel seed varieties resistant to diseases to additional fertilizers – has changed the input costs for growers.Wed, 20 Aug 2014 05:01:27 +0000Kristofor Husted36102 at http://hppr.orgWhat goes into the price of your tomatoReal farm life, at the intersection of arts and agriculturehttp://hppr.org/post/real-farm-life-intersection-arts-and-agriculture
<p>In a living room converted to a theater for the evening, Ethan Peterson and Madeleine Russell portray the characters from <a href="http://www.maryswander.com/">Mary Swander’s</a> play, “VANG.” In it, the actors share the emotional stories of four immigrant couples who farm in Iowa. Swander used transcriptions of conversations with Hmong, Mexican, Sudanese and Dutch farmers to create the play.Mon, 18 Aug 2014 15:11:57 +0000Amy Mayer36053 at http://hppr.orgReal farm life, at the intersection of arts and agricultureReport: Farmer Suicide Rate Higher Than All Other Workershttp://hppr.org/post/report-farmer-suicide-rate-higher-all-other-workers
<p>U.S. farmers are more than three times more likely to commit suicide than other workers, a new study has found.</p><p>University of Iowa researcher Wendy Ringgenberg&nbsp;compiled a study based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration farm death statistics from 1992 to 2010. <a href="http://iowapublicradio.org/post/farm-workers-far-more-likely-die-suicide-why" target="_blank">In a recent interview with Iowa Public Radio</a>, Ringgenberg said suicide rates have likely been underestimated and underreported.Mon, 23 Jun 2014 21:20:57 +0000Cody Newill33600 at http://hppr.orgReport: Farmer Suicide Rate Higher Than All Other WorkersAgritourism a growing opportunity on the farmhttp://hppr.org/post/agritourism-growing-opportunity-farm
<p>Farms aren’t just for food any more. With the <a href="http://harvestpublicmedia.org/content/local-food-challenge">local food movement growing</a>, more savvy farmers are putting a price tag on more than those organic tomatoes. They are instead marketing and selling the “farm experience” in the form of agritourism attractions.Sat, 21 Jun 2014 05:01:27 +0000Luke Runyon33426 at http://hppr.orgAgritourism a growing opportunity on the farmCargill to stop use of gestation crates for hogshttp://hppr.org/post/cargill-stop-use-gestation-crates-hogs
<p>Cargill, one of the country’s largest pork producers, <a href="http://www.cargill.com/news/releases/2014/NA31657661.jsp">announced Monday</a> that it will stop using gestation crates, the <a href="http://harvestpublicmedia.org/article/1366/crate-question-looms-over-pork-producers/5">controversial narrow cages</a> meant to house and separate sows. Cargill is joining other major meatpackers, like competitors Tyson and Smithfield Foods, in planning to move away from hog crates.Wed, 11 Jun 2014 05:01:27 +0000Grant Gerlock33013 at http://hppr.orgCargill to stop use of gestation crates for hogsFewer farms kids but record Future Farmershttp://hppr.org/post/fewer-farms-kids-record-future-farmers
<p></p><p>The blue corduroy jacket worn by high school students in FFA, formerly the Future Farmers of America, is an icon of rural life. To the average city dweller the jacket is a vestige of dwindling, isolated farm culture, as fewer and fewer young people grow up on farms. The numbers tell a different story however. In spite of that demographic shift, a record number of kids are donning blue jackets this year.</p>Fri, 04 Apr 2014 05:00:01 +0000Luke Runyon30016 at http://hppr.orgFewer farms kids but record Future FarmersSticker shock – it’s not just on new tractors anymorehttp://hppr.org/post/sticker-shock-it-s-not-just-new-tractors-anymore
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Buying a new farm tractor costs almost as much as a new home in a decent suburb. &nbsp;</span></p><p>Shelling out $200,000 or more for shiny new John Deere, Case IH, New Holland or other name brand horsepower to work the fields of a 21<sup>st</sup>&nbsp;century Midwestern farm isn&rsquo;t unusual, farmers and dealers say.</p>Thu, 26 Sep 2013 03:27:51 +0000Gene Meyer22125 at http://hppr.orgSticker shock – it’s not just on new tractors anymoreEnd of Tax Break Could Affect Tractor Saleshttp://hppr.org/post/end-tax-break-could-affect-tractor-sales
<p></p><p>On a hot August day in late August, Kevin Bien stands in the shade of a large gray piece of farm equipment.&nbsp; The brand marketing manager for&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gleanercombines.com/">Gleaner Combines</a>&nbsp;gives his best spiel to a group of farmers attending the&nbsp;<a href="http://farmprogressshow.com/">Farm progress Show</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;in Decatur, Ill.&nbsp;&nbsp; Torque, efficiency, and new technology are among his key points for the prospective buyers of the large machines that can run anywhere from $300,000 to $500,000.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>Tue, 24 Sep 2013 04:41:21 +0000Bill Wheelhouse22031 at http://hppr.orgEnd of Tax Break Could Affect Tractor SalesStill farming, despite disabilityhttp://hppr.org/post/still-farming-despite-disability
<p></p><p>One sign that you have strong farm roots is when your rural road is named for your family.</p><p>I met Steve Quandt on Quandt Road, north of Grand Island, Neb., on the farm that used to belong to his grandfather. It’s the place he remembers spending days as a kid, from morning to night, helping milk cows, work the fields and repair machinery.</p><p>He followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, building his own farming operation. But that path was suddenly interrupted nearly six years ago.</p>Sat, 24 Aug 2013 05:00:01 +0000Grant Gerlock20612 at http://hppr.orgStill farming, despite disabilityBoth ways for Buffet: GMO and Organichttp://hppr.org/post/both-ways-buffet-gmo-and-organic
<p></p><p>A Midwestern farmer with a well-known last name has set out to fight hunger on a global scale. Howard G. Buffett is the son of Warren Buffett, one of the richest men in the world. The younger Buffett believes that to help people, you must first make sure they can feed themselves. He has a 3,200-acre farm in Illinois and another in Arizona, where research is being done in hopes of learning how Africans can become better farmers.</p>Thu, 22 Aug 2013 05:00:01 +0000Peggy Lowe20548 at http://hppr.orgBoth ways for Buffet: GMO and OrganicDoing More With Less Waterhttp://hppr.org/post/doing-more-less-water
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">The future of agriculture across the Great Plains hinges on water. Without it, nothing can grow.</span></p><p>Climate models&nbsp;<a href="http://harvestpublicmedia.org/article/thirsty-cities-drain-colorado-farmland">and population growth</a>&nbsp;paint a pretty bleak picture for water availability a few decades from now. If farmers want to stay in business, they have to figure out how to do more with less. Enter: super efficient irrigation systems.</p><p>Wed, 21 Aug 2013 05:00:01 +0000Luke Runyon20491 at http://hppr.orgDoing More With Less WaterHoward Buffett: Farmer of the worldhttp://hppr.org/post/howard-buffett-farmer-world
<p></p><p>Five years ago, Howard G. Buffett was at a meeting of an international food aid agency when he was told that feeding the millions of starving people in Africa was simple.</p><p>Just give them better seeds, someone said.</p><p>That advice might work on some philanthropists. But Buffett, son of billionaire Warren Buffett, happens to be an Illinois farmer.</p><p>“This guy was explaining to me how to farm and he’d never been on a farm in his life,” he said. “So it really kind of irritated me. I came home and said, ‘OK, I’m going to have data to show these guys.’”</p>Sat, 17 Aug 2013 04:57:00 +0000Peggy Lowe20349 at http://hppr.orgHoward Buffett: Farmer of the worldEstate taxes can complicate farm transitionshttp://hppr.org/post/estate-taxes-can-complicate-farm-transitions
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Welsh-born immigrant William R. Charles in 1868 fought an uphill battle with Indians and grasshoppers when he homesteaded 400 acres of well watered crop and timberland in Republic County, Kan., that his great-grandchildren farm today. The family’s first log cabin burned to the ground in December, 1869 and they dug through two feet of frozen dirt to find shelter.</span></p><p>Today, Charles’ grandchildren, great-grandchildren and their children are far flung from that homestead, Valley Point Farm, 240 miles northwest of Kansas City.</p>Sat, 27 Jul 2013 03:35:00 +0000Gene Meyer19283 at http://hppr.orgEstate taxes can complicate farm transitionsMetal thefts plague farm countryhttp://hppr.org/post/metal-thefts-plague-farm-country
<p></p>Mon, 22 Jul 2013 05:01:00 +0000Payne Roberts19068 at http://hppr.orgMetal thefts plague farm countryWant to invest in farmland? Join the crowdhttp://hppr.org/post/want-invest-farmland-join-crowd
<p></p><p>The new company&nbsp;<a href="https://fquare.com/">Fquare</a> is bringing crowd-sourcing to the increasingly lucrative market of investing in farmland.</p>Sat, 20 Jul 2013 05:01:00 +0000Abbie Fentress Swanson19067 at http://hppr.orgWant to invest in farmland? Join the crowdVideo Documentary: Aging of the American Farmerhttp://hppr.org/post/video-documentary-aging-american-farmer
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Farmers are getting older.&nbsp; They’re working longer, staying on the land later and continuing to do what they’ve done for decades: heading out day after day after day to work their land.</span></p>Mon, 15 Jul 2013 05:01:00 +0000Grant Gerlock18798 at http://hppr.orgVideo Documentary: Aging of the American FarmerYoung dreams, huge obstacleshttp://hppr.org/post/young-dreams-huge-obstacles
<p></p><p>While the farming community continues to age fewer young people are filling the ranks, prompting the question: Do young people even want to farm anymore?</p><p>The quick answer is yes, just not in the same numbers as they used to. And surveys indicate many of them don’t want to farm in conventional ways.</p>Sat, 13 Jul 2013 05:01:00 +0000Luke Runyon18725 at http://hppr.orgYoung dreams, huge obstaclesRetiring to the farm anything but quiethttp://hppr.org/post/retiring-farm-anything-quiet
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">It’s not just lifelong farmers who feel the pull of the land as they get older. For some Americans, retirement is an opportunity to begin the farming dream.</span></p><p>“I wanted to be able to be active and have a pastime that ensured physical activity,” said beginning farmer Tom Thomas, who at 65 still has the physical fitness to wrestle and brand steers at his son’s ranch in Oklahoma.&nbsp;</p><p>Thomas retired two years ago after teaching exercise physiology for 35 years and he knew what he wanted to do next.</p>Thu, 11 Jul 2013 05:01:00 +0000Abbie Fentress Swanson18617 at http://hppr.orgRetiring to the farm anything but quietFacing the family farm legacyhttp://hppr.org/post/facing-family-farm-legacy
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Driving out of the western Iowa town of Panora, the winding roads offer broad vistas of rolling hills. Many of the mailboxes along Redwood Road show the name Arganbright. Jim Arganbright grew up in this area, one of 10 children. He and his wife, Beverly, have eight kids.</span></p>Wed, 10 Jul 2013 05:01:00 +0000Amy Mayer18550 at http://hppr.orgFacing the family farm legacyHow long can you farm?http://hppr.org/post/how-long-can-you-farm
<p></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 11.25pt;">Working beyond retirement is a fairly common refrain these days. In 2012, 5 percent of the U.S. workforce was beyond retirement age. But farmers seem to work longer than most. In the last Agriculture Census 25 percent of all farm operators were over 65 years old.</span></p>Tue, 09 Jul 2013 05:01:00 +0000Grant Gerlock18469 at http://hppr.orgHow long can you farm?Budget cuts and wider competition for USDA's 'rural' dollarshttp://hppr.org/post/budget-cuts-and-wider-competition-usdas-rural-dollars
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 1.5;">As lawmakers debate the Farm Bill in Washington, millions of dollars are at stake for small businesses across the country. Rural development grants go out to everything from home loans to water projects to small co-ops.</span></p>Fri, 14 Jun 2013 05:01:01 +0000Luke Runyon17155 at http://hppr.orgBudget cuts and wider competition for USDA's 'rural' dollarsThe Tricky Business of Running a CSAhttp://hppr.org/post/tricky-business-running-csa
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Within the local food movement, the <a href="http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/csa/csa.shtml" target="_blank"><strong>community supported agriculture</strong></a>, or CSA, model is praised. It’s considered one of the best ways to restore a connection to the foods we eat. Consumers buy a share of a farmer’s produce up front as a shareholder and then reap the rewards at harvest time. But as Harvest Public Media’s Luke Runyon reports running a CSA can bring some tricky business decisions.</span></p>Fri, 14 Jun 2013 03:27:13 +0000Luke Runyon17390 at http://hppr.orgThe Tricky Business of Running a CSARefugees find home on the farmhttp://hppr.org/post/refugees-find-home-farm
<p></p><p>On a small farm in suburban West Des Moines, Iowa, even the barn is a refugee—an historic structure relocated from nearby Valley High School. The farmers, most of them refugees, are just starting to hoe the land, each one working a 50-foot by 50-foot plot where they’ll grow corn, beans, cabbage, eggplant, onions, tomatoes and peppers.</p>Fri, 07 Jun 2013 05:01:00 +0000Amy Mayer17053 at http://hppr.orgRefugees find home on the farmMy Farm Roots: From pastime to passionhttp://hppr.org/post/my-farm-roots-pastime-passion
<p></p><p>Aaron Troester’s life both did, and didn’t, turn out exactly the way he planned.</p><p>The 29-year-old farmer in the north-central Nebraska town of O’Neill was pouring honey into jars from bees he keeps when I met him. I soon learned he had a chemistry degree and had planned to go to medical school, but the lure of the land he farms with his father changed his mind.</p>Tue, 18 Sep 2012 22:26:06 +0000Hilary Stohs-Krause 6576 at http://hppr.orgMy Farm Roots: From pastime to passion